Charging Ahead: Developments Reshaping Malaysia’s EV Industry

Introduction

The global push towards decarbonisation is reshaping the energy landscape, and Malaysia is accelerating towards a more sustainable and electrified future through the adoption of electric vehicles (“EVs”). What was once a peripheral segment of the automotive market is now a central pillar of Malaysia’s transport and energy transition strategy, and it is backed by a growing suite of national policies, investment targets, and regulatory frameworks.

Roadmap Steering the Transition

Malaysia’s transition towards electric mobility is guided by a framework of national policies designed to promote EV adoption while strengthening the domestic automotive industry. Among the principal policies include the National Automotive Policy (“NAP”) 2020 and the New Industrial Master Plan (“NIMP”) 2030 complemented by the National Energy Policy 2020–2040 and the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint 2021 – 2030.[1]

Under NAP 2020, EV development is identified as a key growth driver, alongside Next-Generation Vehicles, Industry 4.0 integration, and mobility-as-a-service. The policy aims to enhance Malaysia’s position as a regional leader in automotive manufacturing, while encouraging local and foreign stakeholders to invest in research and development, and engineering activities within the EV value chain. NAP 2020 further complements ambitions under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (“NETR”), which targets EVs to account for 80% of Malaysia’s total industrial vehicle volume by 2050.

The NIMP 2030 lends greater substance for EV development through a mission-based approach to industrial transformation. The plan links EV development with Malaysia’s National Investment Aspirations (“NIA”)[2], which aim to accelerate EV adoption in support of the decarbonisation of Malaysia’s transportation sector.[3] To coordinate these initiatives, the National EV Steering Committee (“NEVSC”) and a National NIMP 2030 Council have been established to lead the country’s electro-mobility ambitions.[4]

Guidelines on Electric Vehicle Charging Systems

The availability of EV models will not alone ensure widespread adoption. A reliable and accessible Electric Vehicle Charging System (“EVCS”) infrastructure is essential to this transition. Recognising this, Malaysia has progressively introduced regulatory guidelines to support infrastructure deployment and ensure consumer safety.[5]

On 24 February 2025, Malaysia’s national energy regulator, the Energy Commission (Suruhanjaya Tenaga), issued the Guidelines on Electric Vehicle Charging System (“Guidelines”).[6] The Guidelines provide greater clarity by outlining compliance obligations, defining the roles for market participants and prescribing technical safety standards applicable to EV charging infrastructure.

While earlier guidance issued in 2024 addressed licensing and general regulatory oversight, the Guidelines establish a more structured and comprehensive framework governing the EV charging ecosystem.

(Our previous article which addresses the Guide on Electric Vehicle Charging Systems released in 2024 may be accessed here.)

Objectives of the EVCS Guidelines

The EVCS Guidelines serve several key objectives. The Guidelines aim to:

In effect, the EVCS Guidelines provide not only technical guidance but also serve as a comprehensive reference framework for stakeholders across the EV charging ecosystem.

Scope of Application

The Guidelines apply to all entities involved in the EV charging value chain, including:

EV Charging Modes and Technical Standards

The EVCS Guidelines specify four (4) modes of conductive EV charging in accordance with international standards provided under International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): 61851-1:

Installation and Maintenance Requirements

Beyond charging modes, the EVCS Guidelines introduces more prescriptive requirements governing the installation and maintenance of EVCS:

Licensing Requirements

While the EVCS Guidelines do not create new licensing regimes, all activities under the Electricity Supply Act 1990 remain subject to statutory licensing. In particular, any person who uses, operates or permits the use or operation of an EVCS installation or supplies electricity to another person through such a system must obtain the appropriate licence from the Energy Commission.

Additionally, any person intending to manufacture, import, display, sell or advertise EVSE must first obtain a Certificate of Approval (for Mode 2 and Mode 3 chargers) or a release letter (for Mode 4 charges) before marketing their equipment[7].

Challenges and Future Outlook

Malaysia’s transition towards electric mobility represents a significant shift in both its transportation system and energy landscape. While policy-driven incentives, strategic investment and guidelines provide the foundation for EV adoption, limitations remain, such as infrastructure readiness, cost considerations, and technical capability across the industry.

Nevertheless, Malaysia’s long-term commitment to electrification is clear. As regulatory clarity improves and market participation expands, EVs are poised to become an increasingly prominent feature of the nation’s automotive sector. Stakeholders should therefore monitor evolving regulatory developments and compliance expectations to effectively position themselves within this rapidly evolving industry.

The EVCS Guidelines are available here.

This article was authored by Dato’ Brian Law (Head), Tommy Wong (Senior Associate) and Venecia Wong (Associate).

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